Grille for radiators



Feb. 19, 1935. H. G. KELLOGG l,,991,506

GRILLE FOR RADIATORS Filed Dec. 5,'1932 Patented Feb. 19, 1935 V v. 1,991506 GmLLEFon RADIAToRs- V. Homer G. Kelliig'g, Detroit, i'uiqh., assigngrao Motor Products Corporation, Detroit, Mi`ch.,""'a`. v corporationyof-New York` T ;j i Apiflicafi'onfneqember 5, 1932, Serial 1-m.ffsis,lslm` Y fflijoiaim, (o1.293-54) p f.

This vinvention relatesl to radiator grilles; and more particularly to grilles of the type now generallyfused in connection with the-radiatorsfof,

motor vehiclesand the like; v i e l VOne of theimportant objectsof the invention is to provide a radiator grille of this type having means for spacing the louvers or louveriblades with a readily attachable connection between the louvers and the said spacing means.

I-Ieretofore; withv structures of this type, `whenV cross bars or other'intermediate louver supports were employed, it was necessary to'spot weld, or'

by the louvers Iinay be readily attached. thereto,`

as, for instance', by means of a Snap-on engagement therewith. p

The several objects; advantages, and novel details of this construction will be made more apparent as this description proceeds, Vespecially when considered in connection with the accom- 4panying drawing, wherein Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a grille constructed in accordance with this invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view of the grille; v

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken substantially on the plane indicated by line 3-3 in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially on the plane indicated by line 4-4 in f Figure 2;

Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially on the planeindicated by line 5 5 in Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary elevational view showing a slightly modified form of construction;

Figure 7 is a detail sectional view taken substantially on the plane indicated by line 7-7 in Figure 6;

Figure-8 is an enlarged detail sectional view similar to Figure 7, and

Figure 9 is a detail sectional view taken substantially on the plane indicated by line 9-9 in Figure 8.

Referring now particularly to the drawing and more especially to Figures 1 to 5 thereof, it will be notedthat the grille comprises a frame 10 and louvers or louver blades 11. The reference character 12 indicates cross bars or supports for maintaining the louvers in properly spaced vrelation intermediate the grille frame 10; 3

Asshown most clearly in VFigures 2 to 5 inclusive, the cross bars or supports -12 are each in the form ofan inverted U-shaped channel member 5 which fmay' bev convenientlyf formed. by rolling. The sideV edgesf 13-of1the channelV member are relturnl bent andare cut or 'shaped' to form'7 teeth 14.' 'Theteethon the opposite-sides thereof lare undercut-'as 'at 15, to form shoulder portions 10 16 with which the edges 17 of louvers or louvei` blades 18 are adapted' to en'gage with a snap-on engagemenfl v i -f Y The' louver blades` 18, in the form of invention heroin illustrated, are in the form of substantially 1 U-shaped channel members having the edges of the strip, constituting the extremities ofithe `U, bent linwarcllyso that these' louvers may be` snapped' Vonto the Y teeth 14 1with the edges 17 thereof engagingftheP undercut portions and consequently the shoulders 16,VV it being understcod that the louvers'are preferably formed-by rolling and are made of spring metal, or'mtal having some resiliency.

The head or extremity of each tooth 14 is preferably rounded or curved, as shown at 19, to facilitate the engagement of the louver blades with the teeth.

It will be appreciated that by engagement of the spaced teeth 14 with the louver blades, relative angular movement of the louver blade is resisted and the engagement of the louver blade with the undercut portions and shoulder prevent accidental displacement or separation of the parts.

The cross bars or supports 12, as heretofore mentioned, may beconveniently formed by rolling, and the return bent edge portions 13 and i the channel formation of the bar presents a stiif rigid support. i 4

In Figures 6 to 9 inclusive, a slightly modified form of construction is illustrated in which theV frame of the grille is indicated by the reference character 20 and the louvers by the reference character 21. The reference character 22 indicates a cross bar or support secured to the grille frame 20, as at 23.

In this form of the invention, the cross bar or support is in the form of a single bar provided with teeth 24 providedV with undercut portions 25 providing shoulders With which the louver blade 26 is adapted to be connected by a snap-on engagement, as in the previously described construction.

PATENT so i.

In both forms of the invention, it will be obvious that the teeth may, in the production of the cross bars or supports, be properly spaced and arrangedat the correct angle so that when the louvers are subsequently engaged therewith the louvers will not only be heldV properly spaced, but will be maintained at the desired angle, if the grille design demands such angular arrangement. The provision of the detachable Snap-on connection between the louvers and supports enables the grille to be quickly assembled and the louvers accurately spaced, and eliminates the prior practices of welding or otherwise. securing the louvers to the cross bars.

Obvious modifications may Suggest themselves to those Skilled in this art, and' to this endv reservation iS made to make such changes as may come within the purvew of the accompanyi'ng claims.

What I claim as my invention is:

1'. In a radiator grille,v a Supporting bar having its longitudinal edges shaped to provide projections arranged in pairs spaced longitudinally of 3. In a radiator grille, a Supporting bar substantially. U-shaped in cross section with the longitudinal-'edges thereof return bent and shaped to provide longitudinally spaced pairs of tooth-- like. 'projectionav and substantially U-shaped louver blades having the longitudinal edges there- 1,991,5oe .l of shaped for Snap-on engagement with the pairs i of projectons of said Supporting bar.

4. In a grille assembly, a louver blade, a spacer bar, and cooperating means on said louver'blade and spacer bar for frictionally securing said louver blade to said spacer bar, said cooperating means being designed to providesubstantial contact with, one .another when. assembled. so that'r I the frictional resistance'tofreleasefsaid bladeV on. engagement with said anchoring means tov secure said louver blades onto said spacer. bar v andV providessubstantial contact therebetween whereby the frictional resistance torelease of Vthe blades 'from the bar Vis greater than the frietional; resistance to assembly of the .bladej and' bar. 2

6. In aygrille,` asupporting barhaving ablir; rality of pairs of longitudinallyspaced: projec-v tions, and a pluralityi of louver blades having portions adapted for Snap-on engagement with. i the, said pairs of projectionstosecure said louver. L

blades to said Supportingr bar, Vsaidlouver blades and projections being so shaped thatV when as'- sembled they' have Substantialicontact with one another vvherebyl the resistance to disengagement.

of, said bladesand bar is greaterflthan thezresistancveto assemblyl of theblade'sand bar; 7. In a grille, a Supporting bar provided Witha plurality of teeth-like projections havingunder-` cut portions providing shoulders.. and a pluralityr of louverblades substantially U-'shaped` in crossV cut portions aforesaid of said'projectons.

HQMER K''ELL'oGogl 

